The supreme court may authorize the employees it considers necessary for the execution of the functions of the supreme court and the court of appeals and the court reporting functions of the circuit courts and may designate titles, prescribe duties and fix compensation. Compensation and benefits of employees should be consistent with that paid to state employees in the classified service for services involving similar work and responsibility. Each justice and court of appeals judge may appoint and prescribe the duties of a judicial assistant and a law clerk to assist the justice or judge in the performance of his or her duties. Each circuit judge may appoint a court reporter to serve primarily in the court or branch of court to which he or she was elected or appointed if the court reporter is certified as qualified by the director of state courts. The chief judge or district court administrator may assign that court reporter to other courts to assure adequate coverage of all reported proceedings. A person appointed by the supreme court or a justice or court of appeals judge or a circuit judge serves at the pleasure of the court or the justice or judge.